If you were to ask someone, "How many seasons does India have?" what answer would you expect?
Most of us, without a second thought, would say four: Winter, Summer, Monsoon, and Post-Monsoon. It’s what we were all taught in school, the “correct” answer that’s been etched into our minds from primary education onwards.
But here’s a surprising fact—India actually experiences six distinct seasons according to our traditional calendar.
The Real Seasons of India
Here’s what the traditional Indian calendar reveals about our seasons:
Vasant Ritu (Spring): Mid-March to mid-May
Grishma Ritu (Summer): Mid-May to mid-July
Varsha Ritu (Monsoon): Mid-July to mid-September
Sharad Ritu (Autumn): Mid-September to mid-November
Hemant Ritu (Pre-Winter): Mid-November to mid-January
Shishir Ritu (Winter): Mid-January to mid-March
These six seasons beautifully capture the diversity of India’s climate and reflect a deeper connection to nature. So, if this is our reality, why do we continue to follow a four-season model in our textbooks?
Why the Four-Season Model?
The answer is as simple as it is frustrating: we copied it. During colonial times, the British established a system that mirrored the UK’s four-season model. When we gained independence, we left many colonial practices behind but, inexplicably, kept their seasonal framework in our education system. As a result, our syllabus still uses the four-season model, and students are expected to answer according to it in exams.
Imagine a student who gives the accurate answer—six seasons—and gets marked down for it. The truth becomes "wrong" simply because it doesn’t align with what’s written in a textbook, based on a model from a foreign land that doesn’t reflect India’s climate or culture.
This system prioritizes rote learning over genuine knowledge and discourages students from exploring and embracing our rich cultural heritage.
The Irony of the Situation
India, a country rich in ancient wisdom, a land with a unique calendar system and deep scientific understanding of nature, is blindly following a Western model that doesn’t fit. We proudly declare ourselves the fifth-largest economy, we talk about our rich history and the wisdom of our ancestors—but are we truly living up to those values if we can’t even teach our children about the seasons of their own land?
It’s not just about seasons; it’s about the mindset. This situation reflects a larger issue within our education system—our reluctance to question, to adapt, and to respect our cultural identity in the classroom.
We’ve lost valuable knowledge along the way, and in doing so, we may be discouraging our students from embracing the true essence of India.
The Need for Change in Our Education System
Our education system should empower students to seek the truth, to explore, and to celebrate our heritage. If we’re going to call ourselves a modern, independent nation, it’s time to make our education reflect that.
India’s cultural understanding of seasons is a small but profound example of how our curriculum could evolve to reflect our own identity, rather than simply mirroring someone else’s.
As educators, parents, and citizens, we must ask ourselves: are we content with this outdated model, or do we want to build an education system that embraces the true essence of India? The answer lies in valuing our heritage and being unafraid to bring that knowledge into our classrooms.
It’s time to reconsider what we teach, how we teach, and the purpose behind it. Let’s give our children an education that respects their roots and opens their minds to a world beyond memorized answers. Because sometimes, learning is about more than ticking the “right” box—it’s about knowing who you are and where you come from.
For more information or any assistance, please feel free to contact me in the order of my preference:
WhatsApp: +91 8086 01 5111
Email: mail@deepeshdivakaran.com
Phone: +91 8086 01 5111
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